2021 Legislature

Gov. Brad Little issued a stinging rebuke to Republican lawmakers Friday, saying they were playing a “shameful” game that threatens the state’s pandemic recovery by trying to repeal Idaho’s emergency declaration.

During a Friday news conference called earlier that morning, Gov. Brad Little sharply criticized fellow Republicans in the legislature pushing to limit emergency declarations to 30 days. Earlier in the week, state lawmakers in the House approved a bill that would allow the legislature to call itself back into session without the governor's approval. 

The Idaho legislature is moving swiftly to use $4 million in taxpayer dollars to refresh its depleted legal defense funds as Republican leaders face multiple lawsuits claiming they haven’t done enough to ensure the safety of those with disabilities at the state Capitol during the pandemic.

The first piece of legislation passed by the House during the 2021 Idaho legislative session would allow lawmakers to call themselves back into session at any point in the year.

The City Club of Boise heard from former legislators and pundits about the issues that will shape the 2021 Idaho session, and the challenges of governing in a global pandemic. 

Last year, Gov. Brad Little vetoed a bill that would’ve paid money to those wrongfully imprisoned in Idaho. The bill is back, but it might still be in conflict with Little’s office.

State senators are moving forward with their effort to end Idaho’s emergency declaration due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though Idaho could still lose millions in federal funding if it’s passed.

An effort to repeal Gov. Brad Little’s limitations on gatherings is headed to the full House for a vote.

The pandemic has brought Idaho’s public health districts into the spotlight. Many of their decisions — from mask mandates to recommendations for online schooling — have been heavily scrutinized, attracting large crowds to meetings and sometimes protests, too.

A procedural attempt to allow lawmakers with physical disabilities or health conditions to vote remotely during this year’s legislative session has failed.

It was another packed week in Idaho news. The legislature began their 2021 session after Gov. Brad Little's Monday State of the State Address. At the same time, the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues but at a slower pace than was projected while members of the Idaho National Guard are on their way to D.C to protect the capital ahead of the inauguration. 

One of Idaho’s most prominent voices of the governor’s pandemic response is supporting a new lawsuit against the legislature’s lack of COVID-19 precautions.

State senators are closely mirroring the actions of the Idaho House, introducing their own set of bills to curb executive authority during a state of emergency.

Idaho House Republicans are wasting no time in trying to fulfill their top priority this legislative session: cutting a governor’s authority during an emergency.

It’s going to be a big year for Idaho lawmakers who are beginning the 2021 session today. They face important policy decisions to be made on things like education, infrastructure and taxes. At the same time, the state continues to battle the deadly COVID-19 pandemic and concerns over possible unrest surface after Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol last week.

Gov. Brad Little used the opening moments of his third state of the state address to condemn the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week that has so far left five people dead.

Those who go to the Idaho Capitol this year will notice more law enforcement officers than in the past as part of a security plan updated in the wake of last August’s special session.

Two Idaho Democratic lawmakers are suing House Speaker Scott Bedke (R-Oakley), saying he’s breaking the law by forging ahead with the legislative session without giving them the ability to participate remotely in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Idaho Democrats on Tuesday unveiled their proposals to tackle steadily rising property taxes across the state as legislators prepare to return to Boise next week.